FALSE PAY-SHEETS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 12

FALSE PAY-SHEETS.

CHEMUNG A BOROUGH CASE. ) YOUNG CLERK ACQUITTED. -CUILTY OF THEFT FROM BANK. After a trial lasting the greater part of two days Trevor Grafton Smith, aged ID (Mr. Tong), formerly a clerk employed by the Onehunga Borough Council. was found guilty in the Supremo Cccri yesterday afternoon of the tliaft of £3O, thc> properly of the Bank of New Zealand. The jury added a strong j recommendation to mercy on account of accused's youth and the ; strong tamptation that confronted him. On charges of lb eft from the Onehnnga Borough Council of various sums totalling £274 Smith was acquitted. It was alleged by tho Crown that he obtained this money by means of falsified pay-sheets, with the then borough foreman, David Softon, as an accomplice. Sciton, -who -was jointly charged -with Smith, pleaded guilty and was later soTiienced., but Smith denied any knowledge of the scheme or any complicity in it. Softon continued his evidence, this closing tho case for tho Crown. Tho defenco was a denial that accused had any part in Sefton's manipulation of tho pay-sheets, or any share in tho proceeds. Mr. Tong emphasised that the money obtained from the hank had been fnlly refunded, and was past and done with when tho other matters were brought forward. Accused was £l6 short, in his cash, and the over-payment by the bank of £3O was a strong temptation to him. It was true he had denied it, bnt this was because he was first taxed with the matter in the presence of the town clerk, and feared bo would lose his position. He was quite frank about it when he later interviewed tho bank manager at the latier's office. Aectised gave evidence on the lines of his counsel's statement. In reply to Mr. Patorson, who appeared for the Crown, accused said ho had. had occasional bets, bnt was not a gambler. Employeea of tho council were called to give evidence that on several occasions accused and Softon separated while the gangs were being paid. The jnry retired at 3.40 and returned lit 5.30. Accused was remanded until to-morrow for sentence-